Tteokbokki: Korean Spicy Rice Cakes

Tteokbokki is Korea's most popular street food. Chewy rice cylinders in bright red gochujang sauce with fish cakes — this is spicy, sweet and umami all in one dish.

History of the dish

Tteokbokki has been known since the Joseon era (14th–19th c.) in a soy-sauce court version. The modern spicy version with gochujang appeared in 1950s Seoul. It is now a national symbol of Korean street food.

Key ingredients

Rice cakes (tteok), gochujang paste, soy sauce, sugar, fish broth (or water with dried anchovies), fish cakes (eomuk), spring onion.

How to cook at home

The gochujang/sugar ratio defines the balance: classically 2:1. If the rice cakes are hard, soak in cold water for 20 minutes or rinse with hot water. The sauce should half-submerge the tteok.